Dedicated and Delivered

Two weeks ago we had the privilege to dedicate our sweet, precious boy to the Lord in front of our entire congregation.  What was truly special about this day was that it was exactly a year ago to the day that we stood in front of church giving our testimony and announcing we had accepted a referral for a little boy!  God works things like that out so amazingly!

AJ and I spearhead an adoption/orphan ministry in our church, so we were able to promote our agency with a video they sent us and we added our own pictures to highlight our journey and lay seed in the hearts of our church to step out and help those who are helpless. We dressed Eli in one of his traditional Chinese outfits, which fit the day perfectly!  

It was such a sweet time to relish in the favor of the Lord and to promise to raise Eli in Word of God. Our pastor did a phenomenal job incorporating the importance of adoption not just amongst us here on Earth, but the true adoption of us as children to our Abba Father!  He made a beautiful statement saying that in the Bible adoption does not have the connotation that it may have here on Earth.  Adoption in the Bible is the welcoming in of those truly sought after, that it a highly revered action....what a bold statement that is so true! 

 Some people believe orphans or adopted children are/were unwanted, second fiddle to others....HOW UNTRUE!  If anything they are wanted more, fought for more and desired more than anyone could ever understand! What a heart goes through in bringing a child from a hopeless situation into a world of promise is overwhelming in the least!  Adoption is the most beautiful miracle AJ and I have EVER experienced besides the salvation of Jesus Christ.  We are thrilled to give our cherished boy the love, the family and the Good News he deserves!  What a special day to celebrate the miracle of adoption-not only of Eli, but us into the Kingdom of God!  WOW!  TO GOD BE THE GLORY! AMEN!

By the way, the spiritual meaning of the name ELI is delivered....(I'll leave it at that!)

God is GOOD and we are BLESSED!

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

 Romans 8:14-17